"Status okay?"
"Okay."
"Good! Go win."
After one final confirmation, Reiko saw Kousei off as usual. Walking through the tunnel, Kousei felt the gazes directed at her—undisguised, hostile stares.
The tense atmosphere underscored a stark truth: in this race, Kousei had been marked by multiple factions.
"How novel."
Since Gold City, this was the first time Kousei had been marked—a technique born of fear and rivalry. It meant the Umamusume present considered her the strongest.
"So this is what being marked feels like. No wonder McQueen always curses me," Kousei mused with a wry smile, as if recalling a fond memory.
With determined strides, she marched forward, her pace synchronized with the opening fanfare.
Aaaaaah!
The roar of the crowd crashed against her cheeks like a physical wave. Amidst the tumult, Kousei heard the cheers specifically for her.
"Go for it, Kousei!"
"I've been watching your races all along. Inspire me with your run, just like always!"
A small group held up a banner that read "The World's Strongest."
"What are they saying? I can't understand a word!" Kousei laughed brightly.
Though NAU wasn't particularly famous, the Eastern Lands Racetrack was still packed with people who had come from all over the world to cheer on their favorite Umamusume.
Kousei scanned the crowd, seeing the Umamusume responding to their respective supporters' expectations. Seeing this, Kousei smiled at the people cheering for her as well.
"Oooooh!"
The crowd's cheers grew even louder, and though Kousei couldn't understand the words, she could feel their fervent support.
"Kousei! Go for it!"
Just a Way, looking slightly awkward, waved her glowstick frantically, cheering wildly. Even amidst the sea of people, she stood out, thanks to her Umamusume physique, which gave her both physical and stamina advantages.
"When it comes to cheering! Way won't lose!" Just a Way glanced sideways at the neighboring group.
"Hmm~ Even though I don't understand what that Umamusume is saying, when it comes to our devotion to Kousei, we won't be outdone!"
The air crackled with tension as the two groups, separated by language, prepared for a heated showdown.
"They get along so well~" Kousei remarked casually.
Reiko raised an eyebrow and said to Aoi beside her, "She's utterly oblivious about this."
"That's just Kousei," Aoi replied with a shrug.
Dr. Takuya, meanwhile, remained unfazed, leisurely snacking on his treats.
A biting wind swept in as a single foot stepped onto the racetrack, sending a shockwave through the air. Instantly, silence descended. Kousei frowned as she watched Jade enter.
This Jade was utterly transformed. Gone was the pampered heiress; in her place stood the majestic Dragon. Her Personal Racing Outfit, woven from deep indigo silk, featured golden dragon motifs embroidered across its surface. Her cold, expressionless eyes seemed utterly devoid of human warmth, as if she were not even a living being.
The star hidden in her right eye now glowed with eerie brilliance, while an unseen presence within the racetrack roared silently.
Every Umamusume tensed as if facing a formidable enemy, their instincts flashing red warning signals.
Now, they had to shatter their preconceived notions of Jade. The Eastern Lands' representative was no mere decorative figurehead!
Silence became the racetrack's dominant atmosphere as every eye shifted to follow the Invader. She did nothing, yet her mere presence stole everyone's attention.
"Come, challenger."
Her arrogance was entirely justified.
The atmosphere inside the Racetrack was stifling, as if even breathing were forbidden, as if the slightest noise would provoke the dragon's wrath.
Clop, clop.
Horseshoes struck the turf as a lone figure slowly approached Jade under the intense scrutiny of the crowd. Silently, she honed her Mind's Eye to its peak, her attention drawn to Jade in an instant.
Jade looked up to see a menacing face, a hint of a smile playing across her lips.
Is she forcing Jade to look up?
Kousei's radiant, towering figure blocked Jade's view, forcing the dragon to see the naked greed in her eyes.
Kousei had waited too long, longed for a true strong opponent for too long. Contending with the strong was an instinct as primal as hunger, and she was so excited she felt she might suffocate.
Jade loathed being looked down upon, hated anyone who dared stand in her way. Most infuriating of all was this impudent fool before her, her eyes burning with naked covetousness.
She treats me like prey.
"I lack the interest," Jade said. "You lack the talent."
Kousei paused, then a realization dawned on her face. Instead of anger, a wide grin spread across her lips.
"I lack the talent," she countered, "but you lack the right."
In an instant, a crushing pressure radiated from Jade, enveloping the Racetrack in an invisible cage that left everyone gasping for breath. Every sign pointed to one terrifying truth: the Dragon was about to unleash her fury.
A battle between superior and inferior was on the verge of erupting.